George Don Morrison

George Don Morrison was born to George Morrison and Jewell Ann on March 14th, 1936, in Max Creek, Missouri. Dad prided himself as an original Ozark Mountain Hillbilly. Dad grew up with his older sister Geraldine Martin “Aunt Jerry” who took over care for him at the age of 11 when his mom Jewell Ann (Whitworth) Morrison became too ill to continue with his upbringing. Jewell Ann passed at a very young age. As a teenager, Don Morrison moved with his dad for railroad work to the small town of Burlington, Iowa. Don joined the military at the age of 17 only to discover his real age while being treated for wounds. They hid him away in the Okinawa hospital in Japan, hence, he returned to war when he turned 18. While on active duty, he spent some leave and visited a town called Clinton, Iowa where he met Kathleen (Holle) Morrison. They moved to Kansas City, Missouri while he was still on active duty. While in Kansas City, he loathed work at Claycomo Ford Motor Company and embraced becoming a career firefighter. As a young adult, Don was introduced to a second mother, Bessie Morrison from Camdenton, Missouri. Don was honored with lifelong family friends from Bessie and George: Joanne, Pat, and Bill Webster.

Married August 30th, 1958, Don and Kathleen brought a family of 3 boys and 2 girls into this world. Thomas Glenn Morrison (Diane), Daniel Gene Morrison, Sherry Michelle Morrison, Sheila Kay Morrison DeFord (Kevin), and Joseph Dean Morrison. Kathleen and Don spent 23 years in marriage and remained friends until the day of his death. Throughout the family’s time together, Don provided for his family working as a fire captain with the Kansas City Fire Department, purchasing and selling real estate, and maintained a heating and cooling business. Throughout his life Kathleen, Don championed as a breadwinner and provider for a family of 7.

Don met the second love of his life in 1985; Mary (Jacobs) Morrison. Don and Mary are born on the same day sharing birthdays. Dad always looked forward to his valentine for 35 years. They married in 1990 after 5 years of friendship. A second blended adult child family was born. Don remained loyal and committed to his Christian values and principles amongst all family members. Dad believed in hard work, he was dedicated, loyal and loved unconditionally while providing for his family. Once retired from all other occupations, he and Mary moved to Texas, Kentucky, and Florida while Mary was launching and marketing pain management clinics. Once retired, Don with Mary still working, they moved to Ocala, Florida. There, he lived his dream; a home in a gated community backed up to hole one of their community golf course. Eventually, they returned to Kansas City for family and his heart condition prevented him from playing golf. They landed in Overland Park, Kansas where he spent seven more years of his time working as an owner – operator of a small postal trucking business.

After 35 years together, Mary Morrison passed in June of 2015. Dad spent the last years of Mary’s life as a primary caregiver because it was “his responsibility”. He moved to Kansas City, Kansas to be near his trusted and attentive grand-daughter Sandy Stack. His daughter Sherry Michelle (Shelley) dedicated the last eight years of his life being present and available to support his wellbeing within his final living space in Kansas City, Kansas. Don Morrison was preceded in death by his two sons: Thomas Morrison (Diane) and Daniel Morrison, 2 adult stepdaughters Linda Kilgore Delphia, Joan Burr. George Don Morrison leaves behind his 3 adult biological children Sherry Michelle Morrison, Sheila Kay Taylor Deford (Kevin) and Joseph Dean Morrison and one stepdaughter Missy Price. Don also leaves behind one executor and granddaughter: Sandy Kaber Stack (Don) beloved by he and his late wife; Mary Morrison. George Don Morrison was a father and a grandfather to 25 grandchildren and great grandchildren along with a handful of nieces and nephews.

Don enjoyed many different activities giving him a well-rounded life and he never went without his sense of humor. He remained active until he started feeling ill during his last Christmas. He walked a mile at least every other day. He played golf as long as he possibly could and won many tournaments. Dad won so many tournaments in his Ocala, Florida golf course retirement community that he was requested to stop playing competitively. He did not consent. As a youngster, he was such a fast runner, they depended on him to coral the cattle at their Whitworth family farm where he grew up, in Max Creek, Missouri. In fact, during school, Don did carry firewood into a one room schoolhouse walking 5 miles to school collecting 5 cent pop bottles for a movie at the theatre. These truthful stories resonate of his strong work ethic. Don never forgot to have fun. Early in his adult years, he enjoyed driving stock cars and remained an avid follower of NASCAR, baseball, professional golf and football. He also joined the Kansas City firefighters during deer hunting season whether that be in Missouri, Wyoming, or Colorado. He always shared his witty sense of humor whether he was your grandpa, dad, uncle, cousin, brother, neighbor, fellow walker at the mall, friend or foe.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Heartland Cremation and Burial Society, 6113 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO 64133. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00am. Graveside services will be held at Brooking Cemetery, 10004 E 53rd St, Raytown, MO 64133. GEORGE DON MORRISON FUNERAL SERVICES LIVE STREAMING LINK.

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